Actuator



Feb. 4, 1941.

C. E. MEYERHOEFER ACTUATOR Filed Oct. '7, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N V EN TOR.

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Feb- 4, 1941- c. E. MEYERHOEFER 21,230,891

ACTUATOR Filed Oct. 7, 1958 2 SheetsSheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT FFCE ACTUATOR poration of New York Application October 7, 41938, Serial No. 233,765

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a `structurally and functionally improved actuator capable of use in numerous dierent associations but primarily intended to be employed in association with warning signals such as automobile horns.

It is an object of the invention to provide a unit of this nature by Ameans of which a pleasing and novel warning signal may be effected.

A further object is that of furnishing a unit of this type and by means cf which, under the will of the operator, a selective and desired signal indication. may be effected.

Another object is that of providing an actuator in the nature of an accessory for a motor vehicle and by means of which the foregoing results may be achieved, such actuator embodying a relatively simple and rugged structure embracing relatively few parts, each capable of quantity production and ready assemblage to provide a unit capable of being sold for a relatively nominal figure and operating over long periods of time with freedom from all difficulties.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheets' of drawings illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front View of the actuator;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side View thereof;

Fig. 3 shows diagrammatically the wiring circuit which is involved;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along the lines 4--4 and 5--5 and in the direction of the arrows as indicated in Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a Afragmentary sectional view showing the parts within the upper portion of the actuator.

Referring primarily to Fig. 3, the reference numeral Ill indicates a source of electric current supply such as a storage battery and from which leads II and I2 extend. The actuator is generally indicated at I3 and the numerals I4 and I5 indicate respectively horns or sounding devices having different characteristics. These characteristics may, for example, be high and low intensity and/or the horns may be differently pitched. Relays I6 and I'I are also provided, these controlling circuit closers IB and I9 respectively connected to one of the terminals of each of the sounding devices I4 and I5.

The circuit makers and breakers I8 and I9 are connected by a lead to lead II and the second terminals of the sounding devices are connected by a lead ZI with lead I2. Finally, lt will be observed that by a lead 22 one side of relays I6 and II are connected to lead I I While the opposite sides of such relays are connected to leads 23 and 24 which extend to the actuator I3, the latter being coupled by lead 25 to lead I2.

Now referring to the details of the actuator, it Will be observed as especially shown in Figs. 1 and 2, that it may include a metallic casing 26 conveniently having a bulged portion 2l upon which indicia may be displayed. This casing is coupled to, or formed with arms 28 which may encircle a member such as the steering column 29, and which may be constricted around this member as for example by a bolt and nut 3] in order to support the casing. Obviously, any other desired form of mounting may, however, be provided for the casing.

Extending beyond the outer end ci the casing is a knob 3l of any desired configuration but preferably formed of a molded plastic. 1mbedded within the inner end of this knob is a stern 32 which may be formed of brass or other suitabie metal, and the end of which extends through an opening in a guide plate 33 conveniently formed of metal. This plate may be shaped so that in conjunction with a second plate 34 it forms within the casing 26 a subsidiary casing, and a spring 35 may be provided to normally urge stem 32 outwardly to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Outward movement of the handle and stem With respect to the casing is limited by, for example, disposing Within the upper end of the casing a washer 35 conveniently formed of sponge rubber, which encircles the inner end of the knob 3l and is contact-able with the inner face of the casing adjacent its outer end. At a point short of this washer or layer, stem 32 may carry a Contact disk 3l' formed of brass, and it is apparent by this construction, that knob 3| may be oscillated against the resistance oiiered by washer 36 and to some extent, by the spring 35. Also, the knob may be inwardly projected against the action of spring 35.

Tubular rivets 3B extend through` openings in plates 33 and 35.-, a layer of insulation 39 of ber, or other suitable material, being interposed between these parts to prevent any direct electrical connection between the rivets and casing. These rivets support the terminals of leads 23 and 24 and by means of a bolt 33, or otherwise, lead 25 may be secured to the .subsidiary casing shown in Fig. 5.

With the parts thus connected and again referring to Fig. 3, it is obvious that if knob 3| is rocked to the left as viewed in Fig. 2, the circuit through leads 23 and 25 will be closed by CTI virtue of disk 3l contacting the left-hand rivet 38. This will result in relay I6 being closed to energize sounding device I4. Conversely, and as shown in Fig. 6, if the knob is rocked to the right, as viewed in these iigures, the circuit will be closed through disk 31 between leads 25 and 24, and relay Il will be actuated to cause an operation of sounding device I5. If knob 3I is pushed inwardly, disk 3'! will simultaneously engage both rivets or contact members' 38 to thus cause a simultaneous actuation of relays I6 and l1 and a corresponding operation of the sounding de- Vices.

From the foregoing, it will be obvious that an actuator is furnished which, within the will of the operator, will act selectively to cause a functioning of sounding devices or corresponding elements. This may involve a sequential operation of unit I4 and then unit I5, or vice versa, and nally, if desired, a simultaneous actuation of both units. This sequence may, of course, be varied but in any event it will be understood that aside from the novel and pleasing effect produced, it will be feasible to, for example, cause merely a functioning of the low intensity or pitch unit, where traffic conditions call for such a signal indication, while the high intensity or pitch unit may be operated if a diierent type o signal is desired. Finally, where an extreme signal is to be employed, a simultaneous actuation of both units may be resorted to.

Thus among others, the several objects of the invention as specically afore noted, are achieved. Obviously, numerous changes` in construction and rearrangement of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as deiined by the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A switch, including a hollow casing, formed with an end opening, a member extending across said casing and also formed with an opening, a handle extending through said end opening, a stem rigidly connected to said handle and extending through and in slidable contact with the edges of the member opening, a spring encircling said stem and connected to the same to normally urge the stern and handle outwardly with respect to said casing, means for limiting the outward movement of said stem and handle with respect to said casing, a contact member carried by said stem and handle, a pair of rigid contacts iixedly carried by the side walls of the casing and immediately adjacent said member, the distance between said contacts being less than the width of said contact member whereby said handle may bel urged inwardly against the action of said spring to cause said contact member to simultaneously engage both of said pair of contacts and whereby said handle may, moreover, be rocked to cause said member to selectively engage with either of said pair of contacts.

2. A switch, including a hollow casing, formed with an end opening, a member extending across said casing and also formed with an opening, a handle extending through said end opening, a stem rigidly connected to said handle and extending through and in slidable contact with the edges of the member opening, a spring encircling said stem and connected to the same to normally urge the stem and handle outwardly with respect to said casing, means for limiting the outward movement of said stem and handle with respect to said casing, a contact member carried by said stem and handle, a pair of rigid contacts xedly carried by the side walls of the casing and immediately adjacent said member, the distance between said contacts being less than the width of said contact member whereby said handle may be urged inwardly against the action of said spring to cause said contact member to simultaneously engage both of said pair of contacts and whereby said handle may, moreover, be rocked to cause said member to selectively engage with either of said pair of contacts and a resilient washer housed within said casing and co-acting with said handle and stem to return said handle to normal position after the same is rocked with respect to said casing.

CARL E. MEYERHOEFER. 

